Fan Out West' wrote:
Per weather forecast, snow ending by 11pm tonight (Thu) then cloudy and in the high-30s/low-40s through race day. Thus, snow probably will have melted by race time Saturday morning, leaving parts of the course a bit mushy.
Maybe Kosgei's 18:59.1/6k CR will survive, but fully expecting several to be under Valby's 19:17.2 time from last year. Seems like every high quality women's xc race this year has been won in sub-19:20.
Note: Dani Jones/CO won 2018 NCAAs @ Zimmer in 19:42.8. Times have changed.
And, Morgan McDonald's 29:08.3/10k CR from the 2018 NCAA race should be obliterated.
Typing this well into Friday night.
Course dried out today due to the wind at 40 deg temps. No snow. Looks like firm footing throughout. Mid-high 30s w/virtually no wind at race time.
Just based upon last year's results, we know it will be all-out from the gun. The wide open course for the first 500 meters or so before the first turn facilitates quick starts.
Now believe we'll see big course records in both races.
